Israeli, French Leaders Push for Iran Sanctions

PARIS — Israel's prime minister and France's president, despite differences over the Mideast peace process, are pushing together for firmer sanctions on Iran to keep it from developing nuclear weapons.

Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting Paris on Wednesday, called for "even tougher sanctions against Iran. . . . The sanctions are taking a bite out of Iran's economy ... unfortunately they have not stopped the Iranian program."

French President Francois Hollande, at his side, said Iran has not proven its claim that its nuclear program is peaceful. France, he said, "is ready to vote for other sanctions, as many as necessary."

Hollande has supported a push for tougher European Union sanctions on Iran. But he wants to keep the door open to dialogue and has opposed Netanyahu's talk of possible military action against the Islamic Republic.